OPINION: Where is the support for our future sporting stars?

Every weekend across South Africa, talented young athletes take to fields, courts, and tracks, pouring their hearts into a dream, a dream to represent their country one day.

Yet, as I watch these young stars push themselves beyond their limits, one question keeps echoing in my mind: Where is the support from our government departments?

We often celebrate our world-class athletes when they achieve greatness on the international stage, but we seldom acknowledge the journey it took to get there. The truth is that many of our top sportsmen and women succeeded despite a lack of resources, not because of them. For every Springbok or Protea we proudly claim, there are hundreds of gifted youngsters whose potential was never realised because the system failed them.

Talent alone does not create champions. Support structures, access to quality facilities, proper coaching, nutritional guidance, and financial backing all play crucial roles in an athlete’s development. Yet, in too many communities, particularly in rural areas, these are luxuries rather than basics.

A promising runner in a small town might train on dusty roads with worn-out shoes, while a talented netball player might have to abandon her passion because her family cannot afford transport to matches.

Government departments, especially those responsible for sport, education, and community development, have the power to change this reality. Investing in grassroots sports development is not charity; it is an investment in our country’s future. Sport has the ability to uplift communities, instil discipline in young people, and create opportunities that can break cycles of poverty.

But this can only happen if there is genuine commitment from those in positions of power.

It is not enough to launch short-term campaigns or hold glamorous sports awards evenings that cost millions. We need consistent funding, properly maintained facilities, and partnerships with schools and local clubs. We need scouting programmes that identify and nurture talent early. Most importantly, we need to ensure that athletes are supported not just until they win medals but throughout their journeys as individuals.

Imagine if every talented child had the backing they needed. How many more sporting stars would we see? How much pride and unity could sport bring to our nation if we truly invested in it?

The potential is there. The talent is there. What is missing is the will to act. It is time for government departments to move beyond words and take responsibility for developing the next generation of champions. South Africa is a country blessed with natural sporting talent – let us not waste it through neglect.

The DFA reached out to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture regarding funding for sports-related issues and how the department funds athletes, but the department failed to comment.

Because when we fail to invest in our athletes, we are not just letting them down; we are letting down the future of South African sport. So I ask this: If the money is not being spent on developing our young athletes, where is it going? For now, we will never know.